Finding Enlightenment Through Yoga: A Journey of Awakening

by Lauren Hanna, Founder of Sonic Yoga

As we traverse through life, each of us is on our own unique journey—some searching for love, others for meaning, and many of us for a sense of enlightenment. As a teacher at Sonic Yoga, I often reflect on what it truly means to be enlightened from a yoga perspective.

In a world filled with distractions and chaos, finding enlightenment can seem like a distant dream. However, I believe it’s our practice on and off the mat that illuminates the path to this profound state of existence.

At its core, enlightenment in yoga is not merely a destination; rather, it’s a process of continual self-discovery and awakening. The journey begins with self-awareness. Through practices such as asana (the physical postures), breathing exercises, meditation, and living Yoga, we cultivate a deeper understanding of ourselves, our thoughts, and the energies that shape our lives.

Yoga invites us to turn inward, allowing us to peel back the layers of our ego and societal conditioning. This self-reflection leads us to recognize our true nature, which is inherently connected to the universe.

As we deepen our practice, we notice a remarkable shift in our perceptions. Enlightenment is characterized by a sense of clarity and peace that transcends the noise of the external world. It’s in those still moments of meditation and life where we can experience profound truths about our existence.

In yoga philosophy, this moment of insight can be likened to the state of samadhi—a blissful union with the universe. It is in this union that we realize we are not separate from the oneness of all things.

In my experience, one of the most significant teachings that yoga offers is the understanding of impermanence. Enlightenment does not ask us to attain a fixed state of being rather, it encourages us to embrace the ebbs and flows of life with grace and acceptance.

To dip in and out of enlightenment as we move towards the ultimate awakening when we leave our bodies. Through this lens, we see that enlightenment is not a goal but a way of being—one that is available to us in the pauses, the joys and the ease of life.

As we journey through this exploration, community and nature play an essential role in our pursuit of enlightenment. Practicing in a group fosters support, encouragement, and collective growth. In this communal aspect, we not only shed our individual burdens but also connect to something greater than ourselves.

Spending time in nature is the closest we can get to enlightenment in the embodied form, the majesty of a sunrise, sunset, the calm stillness of the sea or the night sky.

These moments open the portal for us to step temporarily into a space of connection to the unlimited potential of our life force. Where our ego melts away and we become one with the source, the Satchitananda, the truth, consciousness and bliss of all that is.

Many blessings,

Lauren